Carnation plant named `Paco`

ABSTRACT

A distinct cultivar of Carnation plant named Paco, characterized by its red purple petal color; compact growth habit; freely branching habit; vigorous growth rate; proportional plant size; and floriferousness.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofCarnation plant, botanically known as Dianthus caryophyllus, andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name Paco.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted bythe inventor in San Remo, Italy. The objective of the breeding programwas to create new potted Carnation cultivars having different or morevivid flower colors.

The new cultivar originated from a cross made by the inventor of theproprietary selection of the breeder designated as V-79, as the male orpollen parent, with the propietary selection of the breeder designatedas BB-1, as the female or seed parent.

The cultivar Paco was discovered and selected by the inventor as aflowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlledenvironment in San Remo, Italy. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivarby terminal cuttings taken at San Remo, Italy, has shonw that the uniquefeatures of this new Carnation are stabilized and reproduced true totype in successive generations.

The cultivar, Paco has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, daylength and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The followingobservations, measurements and comparisons describe plants grown inPalisade, Colo. under commercial practice in a polyethylene-coveredgreenhouse.

The following traits have been repeated observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of Paco. These characteristics incombination distinguish Paco as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Red purple petal color.

2. Compact growth habit.

3. Freely branching habit.

4. Vigorous growth rate.

5. Proportional flowers to foliage ratio.

6. Floriferousness.

Compared to its parent, propietary selection V-79, the new Carnation ismore compact, has larger flowers, and flower color is red purplecompared to the lilac pink flower color of selection V-79. Compared toits parent, proprietary selection BB-1, the new Carnation is more freelybranching and bushier, flowers two weeks earlier, and flower color isred purple compared to the pink flower color of selection BB-1.

Paco is most similar to the patented Carnation cultivar CFPC Cupid (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 8,419). However, the new Carnation differs from thecultivar CFPC Cupid in the following characteristics:

1. The petal color of plants of the new Carnation is darker red purplethan the petal color of plants of the cultivar CFPC Cupid.

2. Flowers of plants of the new Carnation have fewer petals per flower,and petals are smaller than petals of plants of the cultivar CFPC Cupid.

3. Flowers of plants of the new Carnation are smaller in diameter thanflowers of plants of the cultivar CFPC Cupid.

The accompanying colored photograph illustrates the overall appearanceof the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. The flowercolor appears more red than the actual flower color due to lightreflectance. The photograph comprises a top perspective view of aflowering stem, flower, petals, flower bud and reproductive organs froma typical potted plant of Paco grown in a polyethylene-coveredgreenhouse in Palisade, Colo.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. Measurements and numericalvalues represent averages for at least three typical plants grown in10-cm containers with day temperatures of 24C., night temperatures of18C., and a light level of 4,500 foot-candles.

Botanical classification: Dianthus caryophyllus cultivar Paco.

Parentage:

Male.--V-79, a propietary selection of the breeder.

Female.--BB-1, a propietary selection of the breeder.

Propagation:

Type cutting.--Terminal cuttings.

Time to initiate roots.--20 days at 21° C. soil temperature.

Rooting habit.--Numerous, fibrous, and well-branched.

Plant description:

Form.--Compact flowering potted plant.

Habit of growth.--Freely branching, bushy. Branching is increased bypinching.

Plant height at flowering.--Very compact, 12 cm.

Vigor.--Rapid growth rate.

Foliage description.--Leaves simple, opposite, generally symmetrical,abundant. Size: Length: 5 to 6 cm. Width: 1 cm. Shape: Narrow,lanceolate with acute leaf tip. Texture: Leathery, glabrous. Margin:Entire. Color: Young foliage top side: 143B. Young foliage under side:143C. Mature foliage top side: 147A. Mature foliage under side: 147A.Stem color: 147A. Venation: Prominent mid-vein.

Flower description:

Flower type and habit.--Fully double flowers that are flat with an opencenter. Freely and continuously flowering.

Inflorescences borne.--Clusters of 3 to 5 flowers on strong pedunclesborne above foilage, arising from terminal shoot and leaf axils. Flowerspersistent and slightly fragrant.

Flower longevity.--14 to 16 days on the plant.

Flower diameter.--4 cm.

Flower depth.--3 cm.

Flower buds.--Shape: Cylindrical. Size: Length: 1.6 to 1.8 cm. Width(diameter): 8 mm. Opening rate: 4 to 5 days.

Petals.--Quantity: 22 to 24. Shape: Rounded fan-shaped. Tip: Finelyserrated. Size: Length: 1.5 cm. Width: 1.7 cm. Color: Velvetyappearance. Upper side, immature: 74A. Upper side, mature: 74A. Underside, mature: 60B. Fade: Petal color does not fade or discolor.

Calyx.--Shape: Cylindrical. Splitting: Not observed. Sepal quantity: 5.Sepal shape: Ovate. Sepal tip: Acute. Sepal size: Length: 1 cm. Width: 6mm. Sepal color: Outside: 143B. Inside: 143C.

Peduncle.--Character: Stiff and upright. Color: 147A.

Reproductive organs.--Stamens: Arranged evenly around ovary. Stamennumber: 18, petaloid. Filament: Petaloid. Anthers: None. Pollen: None.Pistils: Style length: 1 mm. Stigma color: Pink. Ovaries. 3.

Disease resistance: No known Carnation diseases observed to date.

Seed production: Not self-fertile. Fruit is spherical in shape andyellowish brown at maturity.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Carnation plant namedPaco, as illustrated and described.